Klinten Harley Schmidt passed away with family around him on March 12, 2025, at Seven Oaks Hospital in Winnipeg, MB, after a short battle with cancer. His family is grateful for the precious visits and conversations with him over the past few weeks.
We are blessed to have had this wonderful gift of a great husband to the late Katheryn (Willems), Father to Barry (Shirley) Schmidt, Daryle (Debby) Schmidt, Cameron Schmidt, Jeanette (Gerry Rempel) Schmidt, Grandpa to Janet Loewen, Elisha Schmidt, Justin (Susy) Schmidt, Adam Pauls, Austin Schmidt, Chynna (Brian) Ferreira, Tyler Schmidt, Haley (Seaver) Brown and Great Grandpa to Aidan, Avery, Daniel, Bram, Finnegan, Rosalie, Tom, Sylas and Isaiah.
Klinten is predeceased by his wife, Katheryn (Willems), parents Jacob and Annie, brother Wayne, numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
Klinten was born July 22, 1933, near Waldheim, Saskatchewan, to Jacob and Annie (Wall). He was the oldest of four children. Lois, Wayne, and Sophie followed him. Despite growing up on a farm during the Depression, he had a happy childhood. He left school after Grade 10 to work, then attended Bethany Bible Institute, where he graduated after a 4-year program. After a long courtship, he married Katheryn Willems, who lived on a neighbouring farm. She was, in his words, "The best lady that he could imagine.e" They married on July 24, 1954, in Brotherfield Church.
They moved to a town close by, where their son Barry was born in 1955. Times were tough financially, so they decided to move to Saskatoon, where he had various jobs, mostly trucking until he got a job with DeFehr Furniture that led to a 35-year career. In Saskatoon, Daryle, Cam, and Jeanie were born, which completed the family. He left Saskatoon and bought a small farm near Dalmeny.
DeFehrs recognized his skills, dedication, and hard work, and he was offered the position of Head Sales Manager in Winnipeg. The businessman in him could not resist the opportunity, so they moved to Winnipeg with their youngest two children.
As a family, we shared many experiences. He had a passion and love for farming and an aptitude for business and tried to navigate both at times.
As his grandchildren can attest, being on a tractor of any kind was possibly his favourite place to be. He gave many rides as he worked on different projects on their river property on St Mary's Rd, which will be remembered as most of the family's favourite home and location of all the places they lived.
After retirement, he continued to work hard at numerous jobs, including landlord, owning and maintaining a small apartment building, blueberry farming, mowing ditches, and driving a bus for many years until he was 80 years old.
Mom and Dad loved music and attended many concerts over the years. In the later years, when Mom was gone, Dad would spend hours listening to Gaither music and other Christian music.
He was always involved in serving in the churches they attended in various capacities, such as Sunday School Superintendent or Board Member.
Dad was a person of consistency and discipline in everything he did. Even into his old age, he could work physically and was mentally sharp, having the strength of a man many years younger.
We are blessed to have had a Father, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather who daily prayed and read his Bible, brought us to church, and, by example, pointed us to Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Though we will miss him greatly, we are thankful that he is Home with Jesus.
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